Sekac’s play inspires Phantoms

By Tom Williams | October 28, 2010 at 12:08a.m.

BOARDMAN

A very short bench contributed to last weekend’s frustrating road trip that saw the Youngstown Phantoms outscored 9-3 in games at Fargo, N.D., and Dubuque, Iowa.

Injuries limited the Phantoms to three forward lines in a 5-2 loss to the Force and a 4-1 defeat to the Fighting Saints.

Phantoms coach Curtis Carr expects three players to return to the lineup for this weekend’s games at the Covelli Centre that includes the return of defending Clark Cup champion Green Bay on Friday. Those additional players gives Carr much more flexibility for line changes, especially if penalties begin piling up.

Three weeks into the Phantoms’ second season, the continued development of forward Jiri Sekac is an early highlight. Sekac leads the team in scoring with two goals and five assists.

“His skills and worth ethic, I think, puts Jiri into the elite level,” said Carr of his 18-year-old player from Kladno, Czech Republic (the hometown of former Pittsburgh Penguin Jaromir Jagr). “He works extremely hard and his skill level is up there with the best in the league.”

After playing eight games with the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League, Sekac joined the Phantoms last fall. He played in 38 games, scoring two goals and nine assists.

Carr said Sekac is adjusting to the speed of the league and adapting to a foreign language.

“He’s feeling pretty comfortable this year and it’s showing with his play,” Carr said.

Sekac’s linemates are right winger Ty Loney (four goals, one assist) and center Cody Strang (one goal, three assists).

“I hope I can keep it going,” said Sekac, 18, of his boosted scoring. “I hope the team can play better, especially in the home games.”

So far, the Phantoms (4-4-0, 8 points) have split their games evenly. They are 3-3 away from the Covelli Centre, 1-1 on home ice and tied for second place in the Eastern Division, a point behind Green Bay.

Sekac said things are a little easier this season “because I have more experience. Being older feels better — I think I can trust more in myself in my moves.”

Last year, Czech native Andrej Sustr, who was very fluent in English, helped Sekac when he joined the Phantoms. Sustr now plays for Nebraska Omaha.

To help Sekac continue to adjust to the United States, Carr said Sekac is again rooming with defenseman Ben Paulides.

“That helps with his transition,” Carr said.

Sekac said he feels this year’s Phantoms are improved because “we have a lot more skill guys. I think we can [finish] a lot better than last year.”

Sekac said the one drawback playing do far from home is not seeing his family.

He plans to go home for the Christmas holidays.

“It’s about a 25-hour trip,” Sekac said. “It’s not too bad.”

Spoken like a true veteran of 19-hour bus trips to the Midwest.

Friday’s game against the Gamblers (4-2-1, 9 points) and Saturday’s against the Des Moines Buccaneers (1-1-2, 4 points) begin at 7:30 p.m. In the season opener at Des Moines, Sekac’s overtime goal gave the Phantoms a 3-2 victory.

Friday’s promotions included $5 tickets for college students and $1 hot dogs and beer. Saturday’s game features a family Halloween contest with $2,000 worth of prizes.